Doubt and Christian lifeDraft · awaiting advisor review
Why are there so many denominations if the Bible is clear?
In short
Most Christians share the same core beliefs, summed up in the ancient creeds: one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Jesus truly God and truly man, crucified and risen; salvation by God’s grace. Denominations mostly differ on secondary questions, such as baptism and church government. Some divisions also come from human failure, which the Bible itself warns about.
The Objection
There are thousands of Christian denominations, each claiming to follow the Bible. If the Bible were clear, Christians wouldn’t disagree so much.
Put as its strongest advocates would put it.
The Christian Case
- Historical evidence
Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians confess the same Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, which state the central beliefs of the faith.
- Scripture
The Bible itself distinguishes central matters from disputable ones and asks believers to bear with each other in the latter.
- Scripture
Divisions began early: Paul rebuked the church in Corinth for splitting into parties. Jesus prayed that his followers would be one.
- Christians differ
Christians differ on whether separate denominations are a healthy variety within one faith, or a failure that should be healed, and on which differences are serious.
Where the Evidence Is Weaker
Some differences between churches are serious, and some divisions were caused by pride and sin. Figures such as “40,000 denominations” count separate organisations country by country and greatly overstate the differences in belief.
Arguments to Avoid
- Quoting the 30,000 or 40,000 figure as if it measured disagreements in belief.
- Dismissing other Christians’ traditions.
Read for Yourself
John 17:20–23
20Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Ephesians 4:3–6
3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
1 Corinthians 1:10–13
10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
Further Reading
- Mere Christianity · C. S. Lewis (1952)
Drafted with Opened AI and awaiting review by Opened’s apologetics advisors. Labels show the kind of support each point has: Scripture is what the Bible says; historical evidence and philosophical arguments can be checked by anyone; “Christians differ” marks questions on which faithful Christians disagree.
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